PRESS FILE

LIEGE GUILLEMINS www.EUROPAEXPO.be

E X T E N S I O N

WELCOME TO THE TOMB OF TUTANKHAMUN!

AT THE LIÈGE-GUILLEMINS TRAIN STATION, FROM 14 DECEMBER 2019 UNTIL 30 AUGUST 2020, ENTER INTO THE TOMB OF THE YOUNG PHARAOH WHO MET A TRAGIC FATE AND DISCOVER THIS HISTORIC PLACE JUST LIKE THE ARCHAEOLOGIST, HOWARD CARTER, ALMOST 100 YEARS AGO. THIS EXHIBITION, PRESENTED BY EUROPA EXPO, IS THE MOST AMBITIOUS EVER DEVOTED TO TUTANKHAMUN IN BELGIUM!

With numerous items created in Egypt by the Supreme Council of Antiquities Replica Production Unit, the different reconstructions offer exceptional magical moments to the visitors. From the products used for the wall paintings to the mould covering the walls of the tomb, including the writing techniques used in Egypt 33 centuries ago, no detail has been left out!

A LEVEL OF PRECISION AND RELIABILIT Y NEVER BEFORE ACHIEVED. THIS ALLOWS YOU TO ADMIRE THE FAMOUS TOMB IN A WAY THAT HASN’T BEEN SEEN SINCE ITS DISCOVERY.

The heart of Ancient Egypt opens up to visitors with a reproduction of part of the Royal Palace and a replica of Thutmose’s workshop, official sculptor to royalty. Two world premieres!

WITH THE INVALUABLE PARTICIPATION OF THE ROYAL PALACEAs well as the support from the HIGH PATRONAGE OF QUEEN MATHILDE, a collection of objects and photos that were brought back, at that time, by Queen Elisabeth will be loaned for the first time by the Royal Household.

A PHARAONIC EXHIBITION IN LIÈGE

-Do you see something?

- Yes ... Wonderful

things!

“

LORD CARNARVON & HOWARD CARTER

26TH OF NOVEMBER 1922

A PHARAONIC EXHIBITION IN LIÈGE

AN EXHIBITION OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE, WITH NUMEROUS ORIGINAL OBJECTS LOANED BY EUROPEAN MUSEUMS OR FROM PRESTIGIOUS PRIVATE COLLECTIONS UNKNOWN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

The intervention of prominent scientists crystallises the never before seen scale of this exhibition. Two important personalities are leading this committee:

> DIMITRI LABOURY, Director of Research at F.R.S. – FNRS (Scientific Research Fund) and Assistant Professor of Art History and Archaeology of Pharaonic Egypt at the University of Liège. He is a specialist in that era and the author of an important biography of Akhenaton, which is the reference on the subject.

> SIMON CONNOR, former curator of the Museo Egizio in Turin and researcher at the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York. Currently, he is a research fellow at the F.R.S. – FNRS (Scientific Research Fund) and researcher at the University of Liège.

On 14 December 2019, a fascinating quest begins. The curtain will rise on life during the reign of Tutankhamun, the mystery surrounding his death and the fascination he still commands today. An adventure tracing the most important discovery in the history of archaeology.

EXCLUSIVELY AT THE LIÈGE-GUILLEMINS STATION, FROM 14 DECEMBER 2019 UNTIL 31 MAY 2020!

A THRILLING EXHIBITIONHoward Carter, who discovered the tomb, takes on the role of narrator and guide of the exhibition. He invites the visitor to follow him in his quest for the tomb of Tutankhamun. His discovery, the era it reveals and, finally, its scientific management are all themes addressed in the exhibition.

THE ADVENTURE OF THE DISCOVERYThis part tells the story of the meeting between the archaeologist Howard Carter and his sponsor Lord Carnarvon. It also sheds light on the archaeological evidence and the events that led to the excavation of the first steps to the tomb on 22 November 1922.

THE TOMB AND ITS EXCAVATIONThis space is all about the tomb – with an identical reconstruction – and its clearance by Carter and the members of his team during ten years. A room will also be dedicated to the analysis of certain objects from the excavation, evoking aspects of the life of the pharaoh:

• writing• music• hygiene• food• war• diplomatic relations• …

TUTANKHAMUN’S EGYPT Here the visitor can feel the historical and geographical context in which Tutankhamun and his contemporaries lived while lingering over certain elements of his life, his reign and his death. The themes covered are linked to daily life and how society worked:

• social hierarchy• women and their status• art and its conventions• religion• thanatology including mummification• …

THE TOMB OF TUTANKHAMUN A NE W LARGE-SCALE PRODUC TION

AM AUSGANG DES GRABES

Here we delve into the events that took place after

the discovery, as well as the direct and indirect

impact on politics, Egyptomania and Egyptology.

This section covers successively:

• the political issues that Carter ran in to

with the Egyptian nationalists

• the media and tourist frenzy that

followed the announcement of

the discovery

• Queen Elisabeth’s visit to Egypt

accompanied by the renowned

Egyptologist, Jean Capart, and

its repercussions on Egyptology in

Belgium

• current research into the DNA of the

mummies

• attempts at physical reconstruction of the

pharaoh

• …

AN IMMERSIVE EXHIBITIONAs with all Europa Expo productions, the strength

of this exhibition resides in both its capacity for

immersion and the original and mythical objects

that it reveals.

We propose an original and innovative approach

to the visitor’s itinerary. A subtle mix of play and

learning, between immersion and narration, true-

to-life decor and museum spaces encourage the

public’s enthusiasm. The visitor is literally plunged

into Ancient Egypt!

AUTHENTIC OBJECTS

Over 350 iconic works of art from prestigious

institutions and private collections all over the

world will be displayed. Some of them for the very

first time!

… AND EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD REPLICAS

All of the funerary equipment for Tutankhamun

was recreated by specialised artisans in order to

recreate his tomb identically. 250 objects come

directly from the Cairo Museum workshops.

AN EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITION

The exhibition is aimed at Ancient Egypt

enthusiasts, of course. However, it also wants to

attract as wide a public as possible, including

children and schools, who figure among the main

visitors to our exhibitions.

In order to attract people who often wouldn’t dare

to step through the doors of large institutions,

we are gambling on a model that combines

immersive exhibitions with more “traditional”

museology.

The theme, targeted but catchy, makes it possible

to attract more people to the profession of

archaeology and Egyptology. By introducing

the public to the latest methods of research and

analysis, the exhibition shows that Tutankhamun

remains relevant almost a century after the

discovery of his tomb.

It also allows us to revisit certain misconceptions

linked to the young pharaoh (that his tomb was

supposedly found intact and its famous “curse,” for

example) or the distorted vision of the majority

concerning Egyptian art in general.

AFTER THE TOMB

AFTER THE TOMB

Finally, it underlines the impact of this fi nd on

Belgium, with Queen Elisabeth and Jean Capart,

the Belgian scientist who played a major role in

the advent of Egyptology.

A SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE AT THE CUTTING EDGE

The exhibition may have adopted a popular

approach, but it is fi rst and foremost respectful of

a rigorous scientifi c approach, approved by high-

level scientists who are closely collaborating in the

development of the project.

Leading this committee are two important

personalities:

• Dimitri Laboury, Director of Research

at F.R.S. – FNRS (Scientifi c Research Fund) and

Assistant Professor of Art History and Archaeology

of Pharaonic Egypt at University of Liège. He

is a specialist in that era and the author of an

important biography of Akhenaton, which is the

reference on the subject.

• Simon Connor, former curator of the

Museo Egizio in Turin and researcher at the

Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York.

Currently, he is a research fellow at the F.R.S. –

FNRS (Scientifi c Research Fund) and researcher

at Liège University.

In order to get as close as possible to the

historical reality, the two scientifi c co-

commissioners are accompanied by Jean-

Michel Bruff aerts (historian and specialist in

Jean Capart) and Hugues Tavier (renowned

conservator – University of Liège / ENSAV

La Cambre – and specialist in experimental

archaeology with 20 years of fi eld experience in

Egypt).

AN ESCAPE GAME HIDDEN IN THE HEART OF THE EXHIBITION

THE CURSE OF THE PHARAOH THREATENS

TO SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.

OPENING TUTANKHAMUN’S TOMB HAS

AWAKENED A MYSTICAL FORCE THAT HAD

VANISHED MANY YEARS AGO. LAUNCHED

ON THE TRAIL LEFT BY HOWARD CARTER,

THE PLAYERS’ MISSION IS TO PROTECT THE

WORLD FROM THIS LOOMING SCOURGE.

This escape game is an expression of the

innovation that is part of Europa Expo’s DNA

and will be an integral part of the exhibition,

permanently for the whole duration of the

event. A fi rst for Belgium. This game is subtly

integrated into the exhibition and only those

playing will be able to fi nd the answers to the

puzzle.

BEHIND EUROPA EXPO LIES AN INTERNATIONALLY

RECOGNISED EXPERTISE IN THE PRODUCTION AND

ORGANISATION OF LARGE-SCALE EXHIBITIONS.

OUR AMBITION? To promote Belgian and international heritage

thanks to original scenographies in three dimensions and on a

human scale.

OUR STRENGTH? Immersion. Thanks to true-to-life staging, we

make a point of highlighting objects that are mythical, exclusive,

and perhaps even unique, that come from all over the world.

In a society that increasingly values experience, we o� er our

visitors an innovative and unforgettable approach.

AT THE SERVICE OF CULTURE FOR OVER 25 YEARS

From Tout Hergé in 1991, to Tout Simenon (1992), I was 20 years old

in 1945 (1995), Made in Belgium (2005), From Salvador to Dalí (2016)

and lastly Generation 80 Experience (2018), all of our exhibitions

have attracted, in total, more than 3,000,000 Belgian and foreign

visitors.

INFORMATION

14.12.2019 – 30.08.2020

TICKETS ONLINE :

www.europaexpo.be

CONTACT

CaracasCom

Hélène van den Wildenberg

+32 (0)495 22 07 92

info@caracascom.com

COMMISSIONER

René Schyns

General curator of the exhibition

Dimitri Laboury

Scientifi c curator of the exhibition

Simon Connor

Scientifi c curator of the exhibition

EUROPA EXPO